Dear Glenn Beck, you ignorant, fear-mongering, douchebag, unbalanced, piece of shit mother-fucker:

[11 Bravo]

I heard you took some of the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers to task today. Apparently they weren't American enough for you at the Super Bowl. Well guess what, Beck? I have been wounded twice in defense of my country, and just like some of the Packers and Steelers whom you accused of being unpatriotic, I did not place my hand over my heart during the playing of the National Anthem. However, this will clearly serve, at least for today, as your outrage of the moment.
Beck, your brand of faux patriotism is contemptible. Putting your hand a few centimeters above your gut doesn't make you a patriot, dipshit. You have made an obscene amount of money telling approximately half of this country that they are un-American, while telling the other half to be scared shitless. What have you given back, and how has the nation benefited from that? You have also attempted to co-opt "support the troops" in a effort to prove your love of country (and make a few more bucks). Well, I've said it before, asswipe, and now I'll say it again ... the only kind of support that mattered to us was fire support; it was true 40 years ago, and it's true today, so either pick up a weapon or shut your fucking mouth about "the troops".
You make me sick.

[Saphire]

1. +1

[COLGATE4]

43. +100

[lsewpershad]

134. +1

And 100 million more. This a..hole is such a scared "sisi' that if he is ever called to take up a gun to defend "HIS beloved" country angainst an enemy that will shoot back Iam ABSOLUTELY sure he will shit his pants.

[roguevalley]

56. My grandpa was in world war 1, my dad and ALL of my uncles and

cousins were in WWII. My brother served and missed Viet Nam by inches, my cousins did go to Viet Nam and one who died from Agent Orange poisoning, my sweet boy who went to Bosnia during the war, all of them served. NONE of them put their hands over their heart during the anthem or anything else. They FORGOT more about loving this country than that douchebag will ever know.

RONALD REAGAN pulled that phony affectation out of his butt. Until he did, NO ONE did it.

Glenn Beck can suck it.

[NuclearDem]

61. I thought the hand over the heart thing started in '76...when the code was changed?

:shrug: I could be wrong though. I have a habit of doing that recently.

Thanks for all your family's service too.

[pinboy3niner]

65. The Congress also passed a law authorizing vets in civvies to salute

I think you're right on the '76 date, from the research muriel_volestrangler posted earlier. The vets saluting in civvies was the subject of more recent legislation:

New law allows saluting in civilian attire during Anthem

by Air Force News Agency

11/14/2008 - WASHINGTON D.C. -- Veterans and servicemembers not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect in October.

<snip>

The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did not address salutes during the national anthem. Last year's provision also applied to servicemembers while not in uniform.

<snip>

The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, an Army veteran. It was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed Oct. 14.

Read more:
http://www.dm.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123124214

IIRC, the Marine Corps Commandant advised USMC vets NOT to salute while in civvies, despite the new law that made it permissable.

[MH1]

114. Does anyone else think the Congress ought to work on more substantive stuff?

I mean c'mon, being quiet and at attention wasn't enough?

I'm sure even back in 1976 there were actual issues that needed to be addressed.

[roguevalley]

96. you're welcome, sweetness. Someone did a trace on that once and

walked it back to Reagan.

[12string]

142. pledge of allegiance

They start this brainwashing as soon as you go to school.By the time I was 14 in 1969 I stopped playing along.Until I see "Liberty and Justice for ALL",I see no reason to feel different.

[NuclearDem]

2. Amen. This is almost as stupid as the flag lapel pin thing

[libmom74]

120. thankyou!

I hate those fucking things, their all made in China anyway. How stupid is it to show off how patriotic you are by wearing a freaking metal flag pin that isn't even made in your own country?

[CTyankee]

128. Ah, but they keep pasty white flabby slobs like Glen Beck lookin' GOOD

when they wear them! Kinda makes up for the "not serving" thingie...

[Vinnie From Indy]

3. Cheers!

n/t

[Oceansaway]

4. + a billion !!...nt

[RandomThoughts]

5. wrong, it is not about fighting

I am due beer and travel money

Blinded by the Light by Manfred Mann's Earth Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg8cDmi7-U8

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[underpants]

7. Great post

:patriot:

[KansasVoter]

8. Thank you for your service and your post!!

[Kennah]

9. Packers are owned by the community. Damned commies.

:sarcasm:

[sabrina 1]

10. I wish I had said all that!

Is there some reason why these uber-patriots never put their pathetic bodies where their mouths are?

How old is he? Couldn't he have served in the First Gulf War and the Iraq/Afghanistan wars? I hear they have pilots over there in their sixties.

A sniveling little coward. You can always tell who they are by their claim that they are supporting the troops while staying as far away from the military as they can get.

[rasputin1952]

86. They never do...

Those that have served, particularly in combat, are the ones that are most likely to be against war...talk to any vet about that. Eisenhower, JFK, LBJ, Nixon, GHW Bush all served during WWII in combat areas, and all suffered mightily for decisions that concerned armed conflict. Yes, LBJ escalated the war, but he spent many a sleepless night concerned about he was sending. Bush seemed deeply concerned about sending troops into Kuwait, but he was a pretty weird guy anyway, so there can be exceptions, for him though, he had his ace in the hole, Schwartzkopff.

Reagan on the other hand sat it out in Hollywood making training and propaganda films, and GW bush joined the TX ANG to get out of active service...both thought war was a "grand" thing.

With the exception of Powell, who was against the war at first, and eventually quit his position because of the wars, I can't think of any veterans that bush had in his Cabinet.

Those who beat the drums for war are far behind the lines...they always have been.

[atreides1]

93. Rumsfeld was a Veteran

Rumsfeld served in the United States Navy during peacetime, from 1954 to 1957, as a naval aviator and flight instructor. His initial training was in the North American SNJ Texan basic trainer after which he transitioned to flying the Grumman F9F Panther fighter. In 1957, he transferred to the Naval Reserve and continued his naval service in flying and administrative assignments as a drilling reservist until 1975. He transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve when he became Secretary of Defense in 1975 and retired with the rank of captain in 1989.

[rasputin1952]

103. Thanks...

I never had any use for Rumsfeld, I thought he was nothing more than a pompous ass...:hi:

[tblue37]

100. "Reagan on the other hand sat it out in Hollywood making training and propaganda films."

Yes, but he thought he had served.

[rasputin1952]

102. In both Theaters no less...

:D

One week he's over Berlin, the next over Tokyo...taking Iwo Jima with John Wayne...Hanging out w/in Rick's Cafe as a spy for the US w/Bogart...:eyes:

All was fantasy...that's all he ever knew, the world of Hollywood; hand him a script and a check and deal w/it..."Morning in America" became "Nightmare on Elm Street" for most citizens.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

11. Thank you for telling the truth, kicked and recced for your truthiness. n/t

[KeyserSoze87]

12. Amen. Couldn't have said it better myself.

[Mojeoux]

13. Poor Glen he's loosing it.

How will he finally go off? I hope he doesn't hurt anyone.

[RandomThoughts]

14. Seriously funny thing

There was a full cgi Beck even same voice hocking watches on KBCB 14 shopping channel on my cable tv.

[Tx4obama]

15. Rule: The 'National Anthem' take off your hat. The 'Pledge of Alligiance' hand over heart.

Why is it that the republicans always bitch about putting your hand over your heart for the National Anthem? That is not the rule!
They also griped about Obama not putting his hand over his heart once when the song was being sung a long time ago.
It is not the tradition to do so !!!

[NuclearDem]

18. US Code actually says hand over your heart for National Anthem as well

(b) Conduct During Playing.- During a rendition of the national anthem-
(1) when the flag is displayed-
(A) all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart;
(B) men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
(C) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; and
(2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.

[Tx4obama]

22. That is not how it was when I was growing up. When did they issue that rule? n/t

[pinboy3niner]

23. See muriel_volestrangler's post from the other thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=369697&mesg_id=369772

[NuclearDem]

24. Whenever Title 36 was written I guess

I'm not too sure. :shrug: I learned the hand over your heart rule when I was in the service just a few years ago.

[emilyg]

31. Yes.

[LTR]

21. Unless you're Glenn Beck

Then it's insert your head up your ass.

[GoneOffShore]

32. I no longer recite the Pledge nor sing the National Anthem

And I won't bow my head during any public prayer.

If I wore a hat, I probably wouldn't take it off.

[shoreline]

35. When other folks are praying...

...I'm always looking around for others looking around. That way I know who to trust.

[TwentyFive]

90. So true! Now that I think of it...

I will remember your wise advise next time I'm put in that "uncomfortable" position.

[mrmpa]

127. Next week I have to do with this issue at

a board meeting for my condominium association. I attended 2-3 months ago, the meeting (private, not public) when some asshole owner (I'm an owner, but not an asshole, lol), yelled "everyone stand for the pledge of allegiance". I didn't stand, this was not a public meeting and there was no flag to be seen. Everyone there stood and recited it. This occurred right after Beck made such a stink about reciting the pledge.

I know if this occurs again at this meeting, I will not be able to hold my tongue. I'm a social studies teacher, and these people have no concept of what it means to be a US citizen.

[Demoiselle]

131. At a condominium board meeting? !!!!????

That is both absurd and scary! You have my sympathy .

[Knight Hawk]

44. Totally agree..............

I am over 60 and a Viet Nam combat vet.Always loved my country.Never was taught to place my hand over my heart when hearing the National Anthem.Stand up,take your hat off and be respectful.Believe it or not when I was a boy growing up in the South ,everybody did the same thing when the band played "Dixie" at football games.

[immoderate]

113. I learned it the same way.

I always though it was "unAmerican" to require oaths and postures of citizens.

All of these pledges and anthems and symbolic demonstrations of fealty came about only after America had developed a significant ruling class, at the end of the 19th century and into the 20th.

Coincidence? :shrug:It plays into this American exceptionalism nonsense. It all goes to controlling the masses.

--imm

[Knight Hawk]

147. After WW2................

If you had been raised right after WW2 ,especially in a conservative military town or perhaps anywhere in the US you would know what I mean.EVERYBODY was patriotic to the max .Half of my boyhood friends had fathers who had served in the military.We use to play soldier with their dad's surplus army gear.Everybody loved Audie Murphy .And John Wayne in the movie "Sands of Iwo Jima".It was just the way we were .You would of had to been there.

[immoderate]

148. Both my parents were GIs.

I marched on Memorial Day with JWV groups. Both my parents were past Commanders. (I knew the Pledge at three.)

My Boy Scout Troop had leaders that were vets, a couple were Rangers. We learned how to live off the land. Good times.

And who doesn't love Audie Murphy? :)

--imm

[rhett o rick]

124. Same when I grew up. Hand over heart for the Pledge but not for the Anthem. nm

[pinboy3niner]

16. Righteous rant, 11 Bravo!

But as for Beck picking up a weapon and serving--would you really want HIM in your foxhole? Would anyone? :scared:

K&R :patriot:

[11 Bravo]

25. It would've been fun convincing him that a piss tube was really just a big straw ...

but aside from the amusement factor, you're right; he would have been worse than useless, he might have actually gotten a good man hurt.

[pinboy3niner]

54. Heh heh

I can think of one Infantry job for which he'd be perfectly suited. You know the one I mean--permanent shit-burning detail (which would free up an actual grunt for the field). The downside is that he'd probably also be a barracks thief. So no matter where you put him, he wouldn't last long in a grunt company...

[11 Bravo]

136. Damn it, Bro, you must have been reading my mind!

I swear, I went back and forth between the piss tube and burning shitters, but the thought of Beck sucking on one sealed the deal for me.

[keroro gunsou]

74. one word:

fragging. that is all. :evilgrin:

[pinboy3niner]

80. We wouldn't wish that, even on Beck

Many years after I was wounded in VN, I learned that, in the next three months, my platoon went through a succession of four platoon leaders who replaced me. Three were KIA, and one was relieved of command and transferred because the guys in the platoon were ready to frag him.

In that case, the system worked. The platoon sergeant went to the company CO and begged him to relieve the guy, and he did. (They offered my plt. sgt. a direct commission if he'd stay in-country and take over the platoon, and he turned it down).

I can appreciate your quip, even knowing that fraggings in VN were very real. But let's face it--Beck would never have made it through Basic Training, much less wound up in a combat zone. In fact, it's doubtful that any draft board or recruiter would even take him. The guy's a total fuckup, and there's no way the military--any branch--would accept him.

[jaysunb]

126. You're right on all levels, but,

I have to admit, fraggin was my very first thought. :evilgrin:

[LooseWilly]

17. Who're you calling "unbalanced"?...

[nenagh]

19. Well said...

Thank you for all you have done.. and your wonderful post...

Your vocabulary reminds me of that great day, years ago, when my lovely daughter, at about age two, came into the kitchen and announced..

"It's pissing rain"..

Exactly as her dear Dad used to say about the relentless Irish rain.. but out of the mouths of babes it does sound different..

Anyway.. well said, and thank you for the smile of rememberance. :)

[kag]

66. For me it was when my daughter...

...probably about three years old, hit her head on the glass in the car, and, with perfect pronunciation and inflection yelled, "Goddamit!"

But to the OP, thank you for your service and for your post. It is spot on (to use a Thom-ism).

[JohnnyRingo]

20. K&R

[DinahMoeHum]

26. Hands over ears would have been more appropriate. . .

given that ghastly rendition of the National Anthem. Worse than even Roseanne Barr.

Gag me with a spoon.

:puke::puke::puke:

[a la izquierda]

27. Can you send this to my sister-in-law?

Seriously, she's used this line on me several times.

[krispos42]

28. Why are you insulting pieces of shit?

At least they fertilize the soil and make productive and useful things grow!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

29. I never knew we were suppose to place our hand on heart for anthem...only for the Pledge to flag

[Geoffrey_Lebowski]

70. That is exactly correct ...

The obligation for the hand on heart is for the fricking PLEDGE.

The whole idea is that you're making a PLEDGE, so you put your hand on your heart as a symbol of the solemness of the promise you're making.

Maybe military is supposed to salute during this song, technically, but I don't think civilians are obliged to for the ANTHEM.

To do so, IMHO, denigrates the meaning of the hand over the heart for the Pledge ... then it just become like, 'hey, a bunch of us are looking at a flag, so you gotta put your hand on your heart'.

Beck is a dipshit.

[newtothegame]

30. How did you send this to him? nt

[geckosfeet]

33. What 11 Bravo said - only louder.

[shoreline]

34. Right on...

...and keep the faith.

[Fuzz]

36. K & R for the title alone

[orbitalman]

37. Post: TRUE n/t

[DLine]

38. So True

I hope you sent this to that douchbag

[bertman]

39. Spoken from the heart as only an 11 Bravo can do it!! Thank you for that rant.

This 71542 applauds your sentiments and your service.

[nolabear]

40. Preach it, Bravo!!

[burnsei sensei]

41. If there's one thing I can't stand,

it's a mentally-ill, severely-disabled man who is incapable of understanding his limitations.
Glenn Beck should be on the dole, unemployed and above all, unemployable, for the rest of his life.
The biggest lies he tells are to himself. The chief of all of them is that he is mentally sane and some kind of prophetic genius.
He needs to be in a strait-jacket, on meds and completely silent for a long time.

[Oilwellian]

42. Righteous :D n/t

[femrap]

45. geez....

the damn douchebag serves a PURPOSE....does beck? And he's a FATHER-FUCKING SON OF A SHORT DICK.

Language is important.

I personally see him as an ineffective dildo.

I wish we could not use female words to insult beck.

He's a spread of slimy smelly, stinky sperm. What do you think?

[salinen]

46. You're wrong

to start with Dear.

[russspeakeasy]

47. If there is a god, Beck will actually have to get a job someday.

If he takes his babbling to a street corner, he will be
arrested.

[Toon Me Out]

48. Glenny Boy has no time to hear your rant--

He's preparing :crazy: to march on Skokie.



:kick:

[Swampguana]

49. Your title is perfect!

[CubicleGuy]

50. I hate to say it...

... but is civility only required of right-wingers?

[Lugnut]

51. + 1000

The best ever 11 Bravo rant! Thank you for your service. Thank you for this rant!

[opihimoimoi]

52. 139 :o)

[era veteran]

53. Fuck Glen Beck

Good way of putting it.

[joentokyo]

55. Leave Glenn Beck Alone!

Don't you understand? Glenn Beck suffers from mental, spiritual, and physical illness.(Insert crying sound here). What you are criticising are his symptoms! (More crying sounds; real bawling)

[pinboy3niner]

57. Welcome to DU, joentokyo!

:hi:

Your post needs a graphic...


Leave Glenny aloooone!1!!

[joentokyo]

59. Thanks, wish I had known where to find that!

[NuclearDem]

60. Leave him alone, I'm serial!

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[go west young man]

58. Fascism always comes wrapped in the flag. Fuck nationalism and fascist's like Beck.

My theory: He's one fucked up angry closet gay guy. Same as O"Reilly. same as Limbaugh. Same as Hannity. Same as Dick Morris.
Same as Turd Blossom. No offense to out of the closet nice gay people.

[pezDispenser]

62. I don't get it

I'm not going out of my way here to be a dick, but have you ever heard the phrase 'preaching to the choir'? I guess I miss the point of the post when you come on a board where Beck has a 0% rating and run him down. What's the poin in getting yourself upset and the responders to your post upset at silly shit some fucko says?

[kag]

68. Catharsis.

Or perhaps a kind of commiseration.

I, for one, enjoy a good rant against the right-wing fuckwads every now and then.

[pinboy3niner]

91. We call out wingnuts here all the time

As ridiculous as their mouthings may be, they need to be called out and countered.

[LiberalLovinLug]

122. I'm a member of the choir and I like it

No one is going on FAUX News and counter pointing him. His ignorant worshipers will never hear this. But that doesn't mean it does not need to be said, that he needs to be called out at times, somewhere at least.
The reason is that he is not just "some fucko", he is given a platform that affects millions of viewers of our "public airwaves" with his twisted bullshit.

[demigoddess]

63. we were taught to stand up straight. And the men I knew kept

their hats on, they were MILITARY. I would hate to have to list all my family members who served. LONg list.

[Mimosa]

64. Somebody PLEASE get this where the blowhard can read it and weep!

Masterful call-out!

[cartach]

67. Great Rant ! And I

always thought you should stand at attention during singing of the national anthem of any country. I remember years ago when US teams first started playing televised league games up in Canada e.g.,hockey and they were criticized for not standing at attention with their arms at their sides and this was played up in the newspapers. That would not have been due to disrespect but ignorance or unfamiliarity of what good manners are when in a foreign country when their anthem is being played or sung. As far as I know that doesn't occur now with teams from either country although I don't watch much sports. This is typical Beck posturing and pontificating. Next thing you know the asshole will have some comment questioning why people don't burst out in crocodile tears as well in situations like that,which is probably what he would have done if he were there. The next time one of those idiot Republicans puts their hand over their heart during the anthem someone should yell out that they're having a heart attack,get a doctor.

[The Wizard]

69. 11 Bravo, 13 Echo here with fire support

Beck is a huckster selling bullshit to America's most vulnerable and frightened. Methinks his time on the air is coming to an end. His audience is shrinking for two reasons. One is attrition and the other is there are more important things than wasting time paying attention to the rantings of a lying scumbag.
His assets should be seized and he should be pushing a shopping cart filled with cans and bottles up and down the streets of Detroit or Camden.
His father should have used a better rubber.

[pinboy3niner]

72. IIRC, 13 Echo is Forward Observer

You guys are heroes to us grunts--saved our bacon many times.

I had a friend who spent his entire 12-month tour as an FO in the field with an Infantry company. His biggest regret was that he wasn't eligible for the CIB, even after all his time in the dirt and mud, out in the jungle in VN.

Beck wouldn't get what you guys did, either.

Welcome home, brother!

:patriot:

[The Wizard]

133. Beck would have been a

"friendly fire" casualty.
I'd have liked to be the one who handed him the binoculars, radio, compass and map.

[leftynyc]

71. Amen and thanks for your service

That puke deciding what is and what is not patriotic is revolting.

[SpiralHawk]

73. Republicon chickenhawks like Beck, O'reilly, Hannity & Limbaugh

are indeed 'playing' at patriotism for the sole purpose of making more blood money...

[Enthusiast]

75. Typical right wing chickenhawk

asshole. No different in substance than Dick Cheney or Rush Limbaugh.

[mntleo2]

76. Your words are right on Bravo and ...

Thank-you for your service not only in real war, but for standing up to the dummass battles we have to endure from chickenhawks like Beck. Just once I wish one of these cowards would have the guts to stand in the line of fire like you have rather than "advise" everyone else to do what they are too chickenshit to do themselves.

While I cherish with all my heart what she used to stand for, I can no longer "put my hand over my heart" because I cannot abide pretending that my country has not whored herself to a kleptocracy with and for the rich. I am damned if I will pay homage to a bunch of entitled rich guys who sit around their heated pools collecting their dividends thinking they should have it all and encourage laws and policies that make the rest of us starve.

I hate to use this allegory because I have known some prostitutes whose integrity put many politicians to shame but ... people like Beck are turning my country into nothing but a tired old whore, as I watch him and his wingnut buddies walk the streets with their hands out ready to give away an entire country's precious rights for their own selfish b(f)uck, to hell with anyone else but themselves. It makes me more than sick, it is just plain sad and pathetic.

Cat in Seattle

[vssmith]

77. I really wish we would quit talking about GB, RL, SP etc

The only thing they hate worse than bad publicity is NO publicity.

Ignore is the best weapon

[jobycom]

82. Normally I'd agree, but...

Good GOD that was a great rant!

[Hubert Flottz]

78. A friend of mine's Dad wrote and recorded a song about just

such a dip shit. Glenna is a "nervous nelly"

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nervous%20nelly

Like those shit stained, ass afflicted, war zeros Rushbo and Teddy Bear Nugent, all Glenna knows about the military, is what he saw on TV in Ron Reagan and Jon Wayne flicks.

[Buzz Clik]

79. You listen to Beck? Why?

The guy's a moron of the first order. There is nothing to be gained by following him other than heartburn.

And, please, don't give me the "keep an eye on you enemy" bullshit. Beck's followers really don't take him all that seriously other than the exhilarating, undeniable fact that Beck makes the left's collective heads explode. In other words, Beck exists because of reactions such as those found in the OP.

[jobycom]

81. My!! K&R for the title alone, but the rest I want tattooed on my chest!

No shit, one of the best rants I've ever seen here, and I've been here a long, long time. :applause:

[Doctor_J]

83. Rec

thanks for that rant, 11 Bravo. I am in agreement with Malloy - I hope Beck suicides on the air. The sooner the better

[CLANG]

84. Ummmm, nothing like reading a righteous rant with my morning coffee!

Good job, 11 Bravo!

[LittleGirl]

85. As much as I agree with you -

Why do you subject yourself to listening to that fool? If we liberals stopped listening to those fools on faux news, they would lose half of their supposed "viewer" numbers. Turn that shit off. Ban them. Your sanity and your peace of mind will be free of the anger and fear mongering.

[Deep13]

87. Beck is performance art.

He's evil to be sure, but the money behind him is far more evil.

[LynneSin]

88. How do you think ignorant, fear-mongering, douchebag, unbalanced, piece of shit mother-fucker feel..

being compared to Glenn Beck?

[MindandSoul]

89. + 1000! I wish I could post it in every forums, and on facebook!

[TwentyFive]

92. I see Glenn Beck doing a Jim Bakker cry in fetal position.

Fetal position...crying...in handcuffs...and surrounded by federal agents.

[samsingh]

94. well stated

[DirkGently]

95. "Patriotism" has become code for obedience to rightwing values. Money, guns & war.

All the people who now scream about "love of country" seem to be the same ones who hate most of the people in it. They wave flags and shout slogans, and hop up and down about symbolic traditions, as though the traditions and the symbols and the slogans, and not the people, were what's important. It's another way a few people try to claim ownership and privilege and the divine right to rule over others. It's become a nauseating call for silence and conformity and above all, mindless support for war. None of which has anything to do with any of what may be, or has been, or can be, good about America.

We have no use for this "patriotism." It's not a real value. It is NOT the reason we support and honor those who put themselves in harm's way for other Americans. We value those PEOPLE, not the flag they serve under or the croaking old Irish drinking ballad we play when we raise it. A country IS the people, not more or less, and it's people who are valuable, not some symbolic ritual involving when we stand up, sit down, or pat our chests.

Glenn Beck can talk about his love for America when stops trying to convice confused, frightened people to hate college professors and fear "communist" outdoor statuary. If Glenn Beck loved America, he'd care enough about Americans to take his carny act and his carpetbag full of cash and conspiracy theories down the road apiece. We'll all hold our hands over our hearts when you go.

.. . and Pledge Good Riddance to Beck.

[BobbyBoring]

104. It's all about division

It's all about us and them and it's got to stop.

[DirkGently]

111. It does. Rejecting dishonestly used "values" like faith and patriotism would be a start.

No one questions someone's faith or patriotism honestly. Did Obama go to church today? Did he bow his head properly? Does he disavow any Muslims in his family history strongly enough? How can you trust someone without a proper flag lapel pin?

For fark's sake, can we grow up as a people, just a bit?

Saluting a flag or going to (the "right") church has zero to do with a person's worth or their ethical, moral, or intellectual virtue. And yet we continue to honor these things, as though flags and churches and who salutes under them with which hand over which body part in which pattern means something.

It does not. How hard is that for us to absorb?

Actions mean something. Ideas mean something. Symbols are only as good as the actions of the people they represent. They have no inherent value. All of this browbeating over whether someone properly abases themselves before a deity or a flag or a song is destructive, and it boils down to nothing other than the same identity politics -- the same claim to entitled cultural dominance -- that obsesses every conserative group in America. We cannot seem to get away from it. We act as though what matters most is which little cultural groups everyone is in and what symbols they adhere to.

Enough all freaking ready. Love your country by working for the betterment of the PEOPLE IN IT. Worship your deity by treating his / her /its creations as though they all mattered as much as you do. Wish your neighbor a happy holiday, whether it's your holiday or theirs. These other things are smoke and gibberish, and they're dragged out, time and again, only when people are arguing for something they cannot support other than by an appeal group loyalty. Kiss the ring. Bend your knee. Cover your heart. Avert your eyes.

All these can be replaced by just about anything that actually means something. "Do good." "Harm no one." "Speak honestly." "Think."

[MadrasT]

97. Hahahahaha

The title alone got a Rec from me...

Cheers

:kick:

[Brewman_Jax]

98. That's real big talk from a freeper

that wouldn't serve his country. If he's such a patriot and wants to support the troops, there's a recruiting office nearby that will be happy to help him REALLY support the troops. :patriot:

[SOS]

99. Brighten your day:

Glenn Beck's Ratings Collapse
http://www.businessinsider.com/fox-news-glenn-beck-ratings-down-by-30-this-year-2010-4

[I hate liars]

101. Thanks...

...for saying what those of us who never served in the military can't really say, with the same effect. Faux patriots like Beck are
also the first to say "thank you for your service" to those who have served, which, for me, has tainted that expression, forever.

But in this case, I offer my heartfelt thanks for your service, not just your military service, but also your willingness to speak out against one of the most the insidious, mendacious, hypocritical, destructive influencers of our culture.

[Wait Wut]

105. Ouch.

Don’t let him get to you enough that you go on a rant. It’s really bad for your health. And, I don’t practice what I preach. Whenever I see/hear a clip of the little worm I rant, as well. My husband laughs and I have to pace through the house a few times and play with the dog to calm down. I can feel my heart racing, my blood pressure rise and Beck has taken a few minutes of my life away.

I’m one of those “flag-waving Liberals”. I do put my hand over my heart when hearing the Anthem (I also cry every single time, it’s ridiculous), but I don’t judge those that don’t. I also stand when the flag passes by at parades (I love parades) and don’t judge those that don’t. Patriotism goes beyond a flag and a song. Beck and Company don’t give a damn about this country and are using the flag and our Anthem as advertising.

With all that rambling said...

+1

[Mad_Dem_X]

106. I wish I could rec this a thousand times.

:patriot:

[ahg]

107. Amen brother.

[Uncle Joe]

108. Kicked and recommended, well said.

Thanks for the thread, Bravo.:thumbsup:

[racaulk]

109. I wish I could recommend this thread more than once.

:applause:

Very well said, 11 Bravo, and thank you for your service to our country.

K&R

[bongbong]

110. Please!

Please don't insult all those insults by associating them with Adolf Beck. "Wannabe In-The-Worst-Way Hitler" is the only title he needs.

[ironrooster]

112. i stand - but my heart is not in it anymore. nt

[Skeeve]

115. Rec'd

Rec'd for the title alone.

Bonus that the content was even better!

[WheelWalker]

116. Agreed.

He's a slimy, sleazy, sniveling little weasel-rat dogshit-eating, lying mother-fucker.

[quarbis]

117. I WAS TAUGHT in the Army to

stand at attention when the Anthem was being played.
It was Played before every movie on post.

[Moody]

118. That felt good and I didn't even write it. Thanks 11 Bravo. K&R

[colorado_ufo]

119. K&R! Utterly awesome post!

No one has ever expressed my sentiments about "the Beck" so well.

Just a note: Rules of etiquette change, but for a long time it has been established that you place your hand over your heart for the Pledge of Allegiance but not for the National Anthem (although there is no fault in doing so). All stand for both, gentlemen remove their hats, ladies do not (as their hats are part of their "costume" or attire and not just a head covering).

[Ken Burch]

121. I'm with you on the OP

For the record, though, I'd have rec'd this thread on the thread title alone.

:thumbsup:

[meegbear]

123. K&R!!!

[rhett o rick]

125. k&r. someone should remind beck that it is a free country. nm

[Aviation Pro]

129. Fucking A Brother.....

...motherfuckers like Beck couldn't lift a nerf ruck if they tried and would breakdown and cry like the little girls they are after half a klick.

Danger close, fire for effect.

And this 12A would give you direct fire support.

[benld74]

130. Well said, well spoken, well stated,,,

[Octafish]

132. K&R 375

Glenn Beck: Garbage In, Garbage Out.

[Plucketeer]

135. Beck's a maggot

Actually, he looks like a queen termite - puffy, sickly white and cranking out the same gloom 'n doom pustules every time he gets in front of a microphone. I can just SEE Glen pinned down by whizzing rounds and shrapnel - cowering with those eyes of his bulging out - frozen with fear while mindlessly clutching a gun to his chest. :rofl:

[KT2000]

137. Just terrific!

and so well done. I am sending this to my Viet Nam vet BIL.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

138. Tell it my brother. :)

:patriot:

[Joey Liberal]

139. I concur with 11 Bravo

I always liked my fellow 11B's when I was in the Army.

[delightfulstar]

140. +1 BecKKK SUCKS. n/t

[alp227]

141. Seriously. And thank you for serving our country.

:patriot:

Seriously, after reading your rant, I don't know how any self-respecting military veteran can tolerate such crap. Why oh why do Americans by the masses tune into Beck and buy his books...oh wait never mind, I forgot that orgs buy conservative books in bulk to inflate sales figures! I sure hate it when conservatives complain about trivial things like not putting your hand over your heart during the national anthem or the pledge of allegiance not including "under God" or make up fake stories about immigrants being offended at the American flag "in the name of patriotism" yet don't give a damn about the demolishing of the American Dream for the middle class and vote for politicians who've been bought and paid for by big corporations thanks to the US Supreme Court in Citizens United v. FEC.

(on edit) Is it patriotic for Michele Bachmann to want to cut veterans' health care? Is it patriotic for Congressional Republicans to oppose a 9/11 health care bill?

[Godot51]

143. Punishment

As an atheist this is hard for me to say but I would wish upon all hypocritical christians (and the hypocritical religious in general) the hell their god provides for. Dante would need to invent another ring for their ilk.

[hulka38]

144. Is he doing liberals a favor?

I think he's making conservatives look bad to the majority of Americans. Any time a liberal wants to make a point about McCarthyism and why it's so toxic, they can point to a real life example. He's a constant in-your-face reminder to America of how ignorant and scary a large part of America is. Am I off base on this?

[RetroLounge]

145. Righteous!

K&R

RL

[NYC_SKP]

146. Hear, Hear!

Fuckin' Hey, 11 Bravo!

Thanks for this post.

:patriot:

[Aviation Pro]

149. Great to see a lot of combat arms brothers here....

....we need to invite more.